The strong growth in cherry and sour cherry production in Turkey has also given a significant boost to exports. In the first six months of the year, the value of overseas shipments exceeded 101 million dollars (around 87 million euros), marking an increase of 333% compared with the same period of the previous year.
According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), in the first half of last year, cherry and sour cherry exports had remained at 23 million 475 thousand dollars (around 20.2 million euros), affected by the decline in production caused by frost. In the same period this year, the value of exports instead rose to 101 million 720 thousand dollars (around 87.5 million euros).
The year-on-year comparison therefore shows growth of 333%, supported by a clearly more favourable production season.
A particularly significant share of exports comes from the area represented by the Batı Akdeniz İhracatçılar Birliği (BAİB), the Western Mediterranean Exporters Association, which includes Antalya, Isparta and Burdur.
Around 40% of Turkey’s total cherry and sour cherry exports are handled through BAİB.
In the first six months of last year, the association’s exports had reached 8 million 524 thousand dollars (around 7.3 million euros). In the same period this year, they rose to 40 million 615 thousand 238 dollars (around 34.9 million euros), an increase of 376%.
The chairman of the BAİB board, Mehmet Ali Can, told the AA news agency that the frost events recorded last year had negatively affected production, pushing exports below expectations.
The situation has changed in the current season. According to Can, cherry and sour cherry production is high and the harvest, which began on May 20, will continue gradually across the different production areas until the end of August.
The greater availability of product has already translated into a sharp increase in international sales. In the first six months of the year, BAİB alone exported cherries and sour cherries worth 40 million 615 thousand 238 dollars (around 34.9 million euros). Shipments scheduled during July and August are expected to push the figure even higher.
Cherries and sour cherries from the Western Mediterranean reach numerous international destinations. Can identified Germany, Russia and European Union countries among the main markets.
Thanks also to air cargo transport, Turkish produce is shipped to the Far East and the Middle East, further expanding the commercial reach of the supply chain.
According to its chairman, BAİB currently accounts for around 40% of Turkey’s national exports in the sector. Within the region, Isparta holds a particularly strong position in cherry production. Exporters also source produce from a broader production belt extending from İzmir to the Andırın district in Kahramanmaraş province.
One of Turkey’s main competitive advantages is also the length of its production season. The possibility of harvesting cherries over an extended period makes Turkish origin particularly attractive to European supermarket chains, which can rely on a broader commercial window.
The growth is not limited to cherries and sour cherries. Can also reported significant increases in regional exports of peaches, nectarines and apricots.
The strong recovery recorded in the first half of the year therefore shows how quickly production trends can affect the international performance of Turkish fruit. With harvesting set to continue until the end of August, shipments during the summer months could further strengthen Turkey’s position in international cherry and sour cherry markets.
Source: www.sondakika.com
Image source: Stefano Lugli
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